2014 MLS Season Review: Colorado Rapids

Colorado had a relatively strong start to the regular season, picking up points from sides they may not have expected to and lost only one of their first six. The Rapids enjoyed a few good spells of three games unbeaten and a few back-to-back wins. Their end of season form cost them heavily and gave them no chance of pushing for the playoffs. A run of 14 games without a win, including 12 defeats, turned what was looking like a promising season into one they will want to forget.

Best Moment

The turn around against the Whitecaps in April. With just a little more than ten minutes to go, The Rapids were trailing 1-0 and showed they had the quality and desire to win while staring defeat in the face. Two goals in three minutes from Mari and then to shut out the Whitecaps in the closing stages at their own ground proves that the Rapids do have what it takes to win from a difficult position.

The five-goal capitulation against Real Salt Lake in September. After leading 1-0 until the half-hour mark, The Rapids fell apart, conceding two in two minutes, then a further three. It came in the middle of their 14-game winless streak and The Rapids could have taken a huge boost if they had managed anything from this game. But it wasn’t to be and it was one of quite a few drubbings in their tough period.

Player of the Year

Dillon Powers. The 23-year-old is one for the future for The Rapids. He made the second-highest number of appearances and bagged himself five goals. The midfielder could be a player to build the team around for the new season and he is definitely one to watch. He could also start to feature for the USMNT.

Maintaining a strong start to the new season. If Colorado had managed this for the 2014 term they could have definitely found themselves in with a chance of making the playoffs. Due to their dismal run, they ended up 18 points behind fifth-placed Vancouver Whitecaps and their season could have been so much better. Finding their way out of tough situations is something they definitely need to improve on. With glimpses of it this season, they showed that it’s not an impossible task, and they will hope to come back stronger in 2015.